Lyla Lindsey
Australia has a plethora of iconic race tracks that are used by both professional car racing elites and amateur racers. The country's story as a racing destination is quite fascinating, considering that when professional car racing first began, Australia had a small population and was not easily accessible from the northern hemisphere. Today, Australia is home to several famous race tracks, including the Adelaide Street Circuit, which hosted the Australian F1 Grand Prix from 1985 to 1995, and the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne, which has hosted the Australian Grand Prix since 1996. The country also offers a range of other racing experiences, from the outdoor track in Stony, Melbourne, to the historic Winton track, which offers a relaxed, Aussie country vibe. Additionally, the Sandown International Raceway in Melbourne is one of the oldest permanent motor racing tracks in the city, known for its long straights and sharp corners. For those seeking a more versatile racing experience, the Phillip Island Circuit outside Melbourne hosts both international motorcycle events and car races. Lastly, the Sydney Motorsport Park caters to a wide range of visitors, from competitive racers to spectators looking to soak up the excitement of racing events.
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What You'll Learn
Albert Park, Melbourne
Albert Park in Melbourne is a popular venue for racing enthusiasts and competitors. The Albert Park Circuit, a motorsport street circuit surrounding Albert Park Lake, is used annually for the Formula One Australian Grand Prix, the Supercars Championship Melbourne SuperSprint, and other support races. The circuit has an FIA Grade 1 licence.
The track is formed from everyday sections of public roads circling the lake, with a small section running through a parking area. The entire length of the track is transformed into a motorsport venue once a year, with trackside fencing, pedestrian overpasses, grandstands, and other infrastructure erected approximately two months before the Grand Prix weekend. The event draws large crowds, with the 2024 Grand Prix attracting a record attendance of 452,055 spectators, including 132,106 on the main race day.
The history of motor racing at Albert Park dates back to the 1950s, with the first Australian Grand Prix held there in 1953. The circuit has undergone several modifications over the years, including changes to the turn configuration, the widening of corners, and the addition of a second pit lane. The speed limit on the track ranges from 40 km/h to 50 km/h, which is still slower than an F1 car under pit lane speed restrictions.
During the nine months of the year when the track is not in use for racing or preparation, most of it can be driven by ordinary street-registered vehicles in either direction. The park itself offers a range of sporting facilities that are available to the public outside of the Grand Prix season, and the area boasts a large aquatic centre, a golf course, a stadium, restaurants, and rowing boathouses.
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Sandown International Raceway, Melbourne
Sandown International Raceway is Melbourne's premier car racing circuit, located in the suburb of Springvale, approximately 25 km southeast of the city centre. It is accessible by car via the Princes Highway and has ample parking available. The circuit also has excellent public transport links, with its own railway station offering regular services on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.
The raceway is steeped in history, dating back to the 19th century when it was first built as a horse racing facility. By the 1930s, the equine track was largely abandoned, and after World War II, the site was redeveloped into a motor racing circuit. The bitumen motor racing track was built around the proposed horse track, which was completed in 1965, and the first race, the Sandown 500, was held in 1964. The circuit hosted its first Australian Touring Car Championship race in 1965, attracting international stars and the best of Australia's drivers.
Sandown is considered a power circuit, featuring a drag strip with front and back straights of 899 and 910 metres, respectively. The circuit is 3.1 km long and has 13 turns, with the back straight leading to a fast entry into the Dandenong Road corner. The track was extended to 3.878 km in 1984 to comply with FIA regulations for World Championship events, but this configuration was abandoned in 1989, and the track reverted to a modified 13-turn course.
Today, Sandown Raceway continues to host some of the most prestigious events on the Australian motorsport calendar, including the annual Australian V8 Supercar Championships, Historic Sandown, Shannons Nationals, and Victorian State Race Series events. The circuit is limited to running five motorsport events per year, at no louder than 95 decibels, to minimise disruption to local residents.
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Sydney Motorsport Park
The motorsport park features four circuit configurations, including a floodable concrete skidpan, a figure 8 skid circuit, and a 4WD off-road course. The circuit has two separate pit and paddock areas, with the main pit building offering corporate suites for events. The circuit holds an FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) Grade 2 license and an FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) Class B license, making it the only permanent track in Australia with both these licenses.
The park caters to a range of visitors, from competitive racers to those looking for track days, ride days, or private practice sessions. It also offers exciting experiences for spectators with its many racing events, such as motorsport action days, and trade stalls.
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Bathurst's Mount Panorama Circuit
The track is situated on Mount Panorama, just outside the city of Bathurst, and is approximately 2.5 hours west of Sydney. It is a public road when no racing events are held, with residences and properties accessible only via the circuit. The track is 6.213 km (3.861 mi) long and features a unique design with a 174-meter vertical difference, steep grades, and challenging bends.
The Bathurst 1000, a signature event in the V8 Supercar Series, has helped solidify the circuit's reputation. The race, held each October, features a grid of over 50 cars battling up and down the mountain, captivating audiences worldwide. The Bathurst 12 Hour, held in February, is another notable event that attracts international GT cars and showcases endurance racing.
The circuit has undergone improvements over the years to enhance safety and maintain its status as a world-class racing venue. The track's challenging nature, with its steep sections and elevation changes, makes it one of the most demanding circuits in motorsport, and winning here is a significant achievement for any racing driver.
The National Motor Racing Museum, located next to the circuit, adds to the area's racing heritage and is a popular attraction for visitors. Bathurst's Mount Panorama Circuit continues to be a prominent fixture in Australian motorsport, offering thrilling races and a challenging course for drivers and enthusiasts alike.
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Calder Park Raceway, Melbourne
Calder Park Raceway is a motor racing circuit located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The complex includes a drag strip, a road circuit with multiple configurations, and the "Thunderdome", a high-speed banked oval designed for both clockwise and anti-clockwise racing. The Thunderdome, completed in 1987, was built at a cost of $54 million, with $20 million coming from the personal funds of Australian motorsport icon Bob Jane, the previous owner of Calder Park Raceway. It is designed to be fast, with 24-degree banking on the first four turns, a 4-degree front stretch, and a 6-degree backstretch.
The history of Calder Park Raceway dates back to the farming community of Diggers Rest, where a group of motoring enthusiasts, including Patrick Hawthorn, carved a dirt track into a paddock to race their FJ Holdens. The inaugural meeting on a bitumen track was organised by the Australian Motor Sports Club and took place on January 14, 1962. In 1982, the circuit was renamed the Melbourne International Raceway, and it continued to evolve over the years.
In addition to the Thunderdome, Calder Park offers a range of racing experiences. The road circuit, though serviceable, has not seen much use since the 2000s and 2010s. The drag strip, on the other hand, remains active and hosted the first-ever Drift Nationals in March 2004, attracting over 8,000 spectators. Today, the raceway is operated by the Australian Motorsport Club Limited, which organises drift events, drag racing, promotional days, general testing, and club motorsport meetings.
Calder Park is conveniently located just north of the suburb of Keilor, in northeast Melbourne, with easy access to the city's main international airport in Tullamarine. Despite its proximity to the airport and the challenges posed by power lines and land development, Calder Park remains a modest and affordable racing circuit, catering to motoring enthusiasts and clubs from the Victorian area.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several famous race tracks in Australia, including:
- The Adelaide Street Circuit, which hosted the Australian F1 Grand Prix from 1985 to 1995.
- The Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, which has hosted the Australian Grand Prix since 1996.
- Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, which has been a centrepiece of Australian motorsport since hosting the 1953 Australian Grand Prix.
- Calder Park Raceway in Melbourne, which hosts events including drag racing, Aussie racing, and Australian Pro Street Association events.
- Sandown International Raceway in Melbourne, which is one of the oldest permanent motor racing tracks in the city.
Other famous race tracks in Australia include:
- The Phillip Island Circuit, which is known for hosting international motorcycle events such as the MotoGP and World Superbikes, as well as car racing events like the Supercars Championship.
- A track located about 50km north of Perth, which is the second shortest track in the country and features classic cars and motorbikes, racing, and a vintage fashion show.
- Sydney Motorsport Park, which offers something for everyone, from competitive racing to track days and private practice sessions.
Some iconic racing events in Australia include:
- The Bathurst 1000, held at Mount Panorama Circuit.
- The Australian Grand Prix, which has been won by Australian drivers Alan Jones in 1980 and John Smith in 1983.
- The Supercars Championship, a touring car racing category run as an International Series under FIA regulations.
- The Gold Coast Indy 300 at the Surfers Paradise Street Circuit, which was held from 1991 to 2008.
When visiting race tracks in Australia, it is important to prepare for the weather, which can be hot during the day and cold in the early mornings and nights. Delays in exiting the car park are common, so be prepared for that as well. If you plan to drive on the tracks yourself, be aware of speed cameras and drive at a safe speed.
